05Oct17

China welcomes Security Council resolution on Colombia

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Thursday welcomed the adoption of a Security Council
resolution on Colombia and commended parties in Colombia for their peace efforts.

China welcomes the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2381, which expands the mandate of the
newly established UN Verification Mission in Colombia to also monitor a temporary cease-fire
agreement between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), said Wu
Haitao, charge d'affaires of the Chinese mission to the United Nations.

The original mandate of the Verification Mission in Colombia covered only the government's peace
deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country's largest rebel group.

The temporary cease-fire agreement between the Colombian government and the ELN is a major
progress in the Colombian peace process, said the Chinese envoy. China extends congratulations over
the achievement and commends all concerned parties in Colombia for their peace efforts, he said.

Since the government reached a cease-fire agreement and a peace deal with FARC last year, the
peace process in the country continued to witness new progress, resulting in positive momentum, said
Wu. The cease-fire agreement with the ELN, which entered into force on Sunday, provided favorable
conditions for the early realization of comprehensive and sustainable peace and stability in Colombia,
he said.

With Resolution 2381, the Verification Mission in Colombia will oversee the cease-fire between the
government and the ELN, he said. China hopes the UN Secretariat will get the preparation work done
as soon as possible so that the Verification Mission can carry out its extended mandate.

"We also hope that the Verification Mission, on the basis of respect for the independence, sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Colombia, will ensure the comprehensive implementation of the mandate by
strengthening communication with the Colombian government and conducting good internal
coordination work so as to provide constructive help for the greater outcome of the Colombian peace
process," said Wu.

The Security Council in July approved the establishment of the Verification Mission in Colombia to
verify the political, economic and social reintegration of former FARC combatants as well as security
guarantees. On Sept. 14, it further approved the recommendations of UN Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres concerning the size, operational aspects and mandate of the mission, including the
deployment of 120 unarmed, non-uniformed international observers. The mission started operations
on Sept. 26.

[Source: Xinhua, United Nations, 05Oct17]

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